Method and device for handling of connections between a client and a server via a communication network

Abstract

A method is described for handling of connections between a client ( 200 ) and a server ( 214 ) via a communication network. A connection ( 206 ) is established over a first access point ( 202 ) which is associated with the server ( 214 ). At least one further access point ( 204 ) associated with the server is defined. A failure of the connection ( 206 ) over the first access point ( 202 ) is detected and a second connection ( 208 ) between the client ( 200 ) and the server ( 214 ) is established over the further access point ( 204 ). A third connection ( 212 ) between the client ( 200 ) and the server ( 214 ) over the first access point ( 202 ) is further established. The establishment of the third connection ( 212 ) is executed with a delay compared to the establishment of the second connection ( 208 ).

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for handling of connections between a client and a server via a communication network, wherein a first connection is established between the client and the server over a first access point associated with the server, wherein the first access point is a preferred access point, and wherein the method comprises:
 defining a second access point associated with the server; 
 in response to detecting a failure of the first connection over the first access point, establishing a second connection between the client and the server over the second access point; and, 
 after a delay relative to the establishment of the second connection, establishing a third connection between the client and the server over the first access point, the third connection being established independently of any status of the second connection; 
 wherein the second connection between the client and the server is configured to transmit service requests from the client to the server; 
 wherein the second connection between the client and the server is closed in response to both:
 the third connection being established; and 
 receiving a service response via the second connection for each service request sent via the second connection. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second access points is an internet protocol address of the server. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and third connections between the client and the server are configured to transmit service requests from the client to the server. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising verifying a stability of the third connection and keeping the second connection established until it is verified that the third connection is stable. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising, if a first attempt to establish the third connection fails, making a second attempt to establish the third connection at a time controlled by a timer. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising, after the third connection is established:
 detecting a failure of at least one further first connection between the client and the server over the first access point; 
 establishing at least one further second connection between the client and the server over the second access point; and 
 for at least one of the further first connections, establishing at least one further third connection between the client and the server over the first access point. 
 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 3 , wherein service requests sent after the establishment of the third connection are sent over the first access point. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 4 , wherein service requests are sent over the third connection before the stability of the third connection is verified. 
     
     
       9. A device for controlling a first connection between a client and a server via a communication network, wherein the first connection is established over a first access point associated with the server, the first access point being a preferred access point, the device comprising:
 a monitor configured to monitor a status of the first connection over the first access point; 
 a processor configured to:
 obtain at least one second access point associated with the server 
 upon failure of the first connection over the first access point, establish a second connection between the client and the server over the second access point; and 
 establish a third connection between the client and the server over the first access point, the third connection being established independently of any status of the second connection; and 
 
 a timer configured to control a delay for establishing the third connection; 
 wherein the second connection between the client and the server is configured to transmit service requests from the client to the server; 
 wherein the second connection between the client and the server is closed in response to both:
 the third connection being established; and 
 receiving a service response via the second connection for each service request sent via the second connection. 
 
 
     
     
       10. The device according to  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first and second access points is an internet protocol address of the server. 
     
     
       11. The device according to  claim 9 , wherein each of the first and third connections between the client and the server are configured to transmit service requests from the client to the server. 
     
     
       12. The device according to  claim 9 , wherein the processor is configured to verify a stability of the third connection and to keep the second connection established until it is verified that the third connection is stable. 
     
     
       13. The device according to  claim 9 , wherein the processor is configured, if a first attempt to establish the third connection fails, to make a second attempt to establish the third connection at a time controlled by the timer. 
     
     
       14. The device according to  claim 9 , wherein, after the third connection is established, the monitor is configured to detect a failure of at least one further first connection between the client and the server over the first access point, and the processor is configured to:
 establish at least one further second connection between the client and the server over the second access point; and 
 for at least one of the further first connections, establish at least one further third connection between the client and the server over the first access point. 
 
     
     
       15. The device according to  claim 11 , wherein service requests sent after the establishment of the third connection are sent over the first access point. 
     
     
       16. The device according to  claim 12 , wherein service requests are sent over the third connection before the stability of the third connection is verified. 
     
     
       17. A computer program product stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium and comprising computer program code that, when executed by a device, causes the device to handle connections between a client and a server via a communication network, wherein the computer program code causes the device to:
 monitor a status of a first connection between the client and the server over a first access point, the first access point being a preferred access point; 
 obtain a second access point associated with the server; 
 in response to detecting a failure of the first connection over the first access point, initiate the establishment of a second connection between the client and the server over the second access point; and 
 after a delay relative to the establishment of the second connection, initiate the establishment of a third connection between the client and the server over the first access point, the third connection being established independently of any status of the second connection; 
 wherein the second connection between the client and the server is configured to transmit service requests from the client to the server; 
 wherein the second connection between the client and the server is closed in response to both:
 the third connection being established; and 
 receiving a service response via the second connection for each service request sent via the second connection.